High res image available for download here  

Uluṟu, NT – 9 December 2024: Ayers Rock Resort has rounded off a stellar awards year with 18 global and local titles in 2024 — the highest in the resort's history. 

Wintjiri Wiru, the world's largest permanent drone show, took out its latest Honourable Mention award in the Luxury Travel Gold List's Indigenous Experience category last week. It also recently won Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience at the 37th Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards in Alice Springs, putting it in the running for the national Australian Tourism Awards. 

Wintjiri Wiṟu, the resort's spectacular cultural storytelling experience using 1,200 drones, lasers, and projections to tell an ancestral chapter of the Mala story, has been wowing guests since its launch in 2023. The multi-award-winning experience was developed in collaboration with Aṉangu, the Traditional Owners of Uluṟu, setting an industry benchmark for Indigenous collaboration respecting and remunerating Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP).  

Matt Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, operator of Ayers Rock Resort, says: 

"2024 marks a year of phenomenal achievement. We're laser focused on our commitment to sustainable and culturally respectful tourism, and our approach is clearly resonating, with consumer demand at pre-covid levels.”  

All these awards don't just celebrate our team; they also hero Anangu, their rich culture and the extraordinary partnership we have built together. Without this incredible community and their collaboration, these experiences would just not be possible.”  

November saw Wintjiri Wiru's behind-the-scenes documentary, 'An Ancient Story Takes Flight' win Gold at the Australian Cinematographer Society Awards in the NSW Entertainment and Magazine category, and Highly Commended for Best Use of Native or Content Marketing at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards. They added to a huge spate of recent accolades, which included a finalist spot in the Indigenous Governance Awards for the Wintjiri Wiru Working Group, made up of senior Anangu.  

Ayers Rock Resort was also listed in Time Out's Recommends  2024 - the magazine's pick of 150 top tried-and-tested venues and experiences around Australia - with Sails in the Desert Hotel, Wintjiri Wiṟu, Tali Wiṟu, and the Outback BBQ and Bar all recognised.  

The resort also scooped up two World Culinary Awards - Tali Wiru won Oceania's Best Fine Dining Hotel, and Ayers Rock Resort won World's Best Culinary Resort – and achieved Great Place to Work Certification for its inclusive and supportive work environment. 

Other major 2024 Awards have included:  

World Travel Awards: Oceania's Leading Tourist Attraction - Wintjiri Wiru; Oceania's Responsible Tourism Award - Ayers Rock Resort.  

Skift IDEA Awards: Industry Innovator, Activities and Attractions - Wintjiri Wiru. 

Australian Good Food Guide: Readers' Choice 2024 award - Arnguli; Chef's Hat and Readers' Choice Award - Tali Wiru.  

Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards For Excellence: Premium Dining and Tourism Restaurant, NT and QLD - Tali Wiru.  

Hospitality NT Awards for Excellence: Best Tourism Initiative - Wintjiri Wiṟu. 

For more information, visit your local travel agent, www.ayersrockresort.com.au or phone 1300 134 044. 

-ENDS- 
 

More information:
Email: media@voyages.com.au

Image Library: Voyages | Wintjiri Wiru

Wintjiri Wiṟu Acknowledgement to be included in all editorial, videos or social posts that feature Wintjiri Wiṟu images:  

As custodians of the land, Aṉangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluṟu. To share their story, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience. 
 

About Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia: Voyages is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) established to undertake tourism business on its behalf. Voyages promotes responsible tourism while offering unique experiences and cultural immersion in spectacular locations around Australia including Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territory and the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Tropical North Queensland. Voyages works closely with local communities, respecting Indigenous culture and Country while providing employment, training and economic opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Both Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre are EcoTourism and Respecting our Culture certified.